With so many micro-trends coming in and out of style, it has cumulatively led to a new-found appreciation of simplicity. Thus entered the “Clean Girl.” Although this term was popularized by social media, the interest in appearing well-kept has been around for generations.
Clean Girl hygiene links together the broader subject of having healthy skin. Just like the title’s name, it prioritizes being clean. With these traits emphasized, let’s go over how to have promising self-maintenance — or “Clean Girl” hygiene.
Skincare
The attraction to the Clean Girl stems from a ‘glow from within’ type of radiance. To achieve this, a high-quality, and thorough skincare routine is necessary. A solid regimen consists of a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen. If you’re a skincare guru, you may have noticed I shortened this list. Realistically, a majority of individuals don’t have the time, or money, to put into a daily routine that consists of a multitude steps .
*Pro-tip, start with a basic routine and add on the serums or specific items you need for your skin. Not everyone is the same, which means, not everyone is going to need the same products for healthy skin.
Cleansers
Cleansers will remove any dirt or debris that are stuck to your face. This helps prevent pimples or bumps. It is also important to get a cleanser that fits your skin type because it will be the most effective when it comes to removing bacteria or other germs.
Different types of cleansers to consider:
- Foaming face wash: best for normal, oily, or acne-prone skin
- Cream face wash: best for dry, sensitive, condition-prone (eczema or rosacea), or combination skin
- Gel face wash: best for oily or acne-prone skin
- Bar face wash: best for oily or acne-prone skin
Toners
Toners can often get left out of a skincare regimen because most people don’t know if they should use it, or what it does. Following the application of your cleanser, a facial toner is a “quick, absorbing liquid” that helps remove dirt built up on the skins surface, like traces of oil and makeup, as well as balances the pH of your skin. Cleansers often make our skin’s pH levels too acidic so a toner will help bring these levels back down. This is especially beneficial for acne-prone skin.
When purchasing a facial toner, look for these ingredients based on your skin type:
Dry/Sensitive Skin:
- Aloe vera
- Humectants (skin hydration): hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, glycerine
- Pre and post biotics
- Ceramides
Dry Skin:
- Emulsified toners (usually milky)
- AHAs and PHAs
Sensitive Skin:
- Centella Asiatica
- Bisabolol (skincare ingredients derived from plants )
- Allantoin
- Avoid acids altogether or use low dose Lactic acid or PHAs only
- Avoid scented/floral waters (sensitive skin products should be strictly scent-free)
*You can find out what your skincare type is by taking a simple quiz online or by going into your local makeup or beauty store! This will help you get better results with the products you buy.
Spot Treatments and Serums
I’m explaining a foundational skincare routine, but if you are interested in any other products — spot treatment, acne treatments, serums, antioxidants, eye creams, etc. — this is where you’d add those in.
Spot treatments and serums are great products if you have a specific concern about your skin. For example, if you have a special acne product, this is where you would use that spot treatment. Same goes from wrinkle serums or eye creams.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers are a crucial part of the skin care routine. They act as a protective barrier for your skin, keeping your face hydrated with a dewy, glowing shine. By properly moisturizing, it reinforces a healthy skin barrier, which keeps water in and irritants out. Moreover, well-hydrated skin is plump skin, which diminishes the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Now, just like the other products, the most beneficial moisturizer depends on your personal skin type. It’s important to know your type to make sure you’re putting the correct products on your face. It is likely that very dry skin won’t benefit from a water-based product. Rather, drier skin will appreciate heavier moisturizers to soak up as much moisture as possible. This is why knowing what your skin-type is will dramatically affect the results of your routine.
Here’s a list of what skin-types and moisturizers work best together:
- Dry (will benefit from a heavier, oil-based moisturizer)
- Oily (will benefit from lighter, water-based moisturizers)
- Mature (will benefit from oil-based moisturizers to preserve moisture)
- Sensitive (will benefit from soothing ingredients, like aloe, that won’t be harsh on the skin)
- Normal/Combination (will benefit from a lighter, water-based moisturizer)
Sunscreen
In the hygiene world, sunscreen is oftentimes overlooked, despite functioning as the most crucial component of skin care regimens in its prevention of wrinkles and skin cancer. SPF is an abbreviation for “sun protection factor,” which is a measure of how much sunburn-causing UVB radiation the sunscreen ingredient can filter out.
You might be wondering what the numbers mean on the sunscreen bottle. As mentioned above, it’s the number of UV rays the sunscreen can protect you from. For example, SPF30 filters out 96.7 percent of UV rays and SPF50 protects from 98 percent. It’s recommended to use sunscreen with SPF30 or higher because at that amount, the majority of the UV radiation can be blocked.
Although the term “Clean Girl” can be overused in today’s beauty world. The fact remains, having healthy skin can reduce signs of aging, acne, inflammation, and create an appearance of glass-like, glowy skin. Whether you’re a beauty guru or not, a good skincare routine can both boost your confidence and help instill positive self maintenance habits.
